Substructure as a supporting construction for a display wall

ABSTRACT

The substructure serves as a supporting construction for a display wall with a multiplicity of systematically attached carrying devices ( 5,6 ), which are intended for the direct or indirect suspension of articles or for the securement of a shelf. A carrying device ( 5,6 ) is formed by a holder ( 5 ) fixedly attached to a supporting means ( 1 ), a sleeve ( 6 ) which is fitted in the holder ( 5 ) through its insert receptacle ( 53 ) on the front side and a carrying arm which can be inserted in the sleeve ( 6 ) through its insert receptacle ( 63 ) on the front side in such a way that it can be arrested. A carrying arm can be used individually as a means of suspension or it acts together with at least one adjacently positioned carrying arm to support a shelf or a transverse bar which can be used as a carrier for the goods that are for example to be presented. The supporting means ( 1 ) is formed by hollow vertical supports ( 1 ) with clearances ( 150 ) respectively provided on the surface ( 15 ) that is directed into the room for fitting in the holders ( 5 ). The vertical supports ( 1 ) are fastened to a carrying structure (T), for example a rear wall of a building. A covering panel ( 9 ) with clearances ( 92 ) which lie congruently in relation to the insert receptacles ( 53 ) of the attached holders ( 5 ) is placed in front of the vertical supports ( 1 ).

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a substructure as a supporting construction for a display wall, which is systematically fitted out with a multiplicity of carrying devices which serve for the direct or indirect suspension of articles or for the securement of a shelf. A carrying device is formed by a holder attached at a fixed point, a sleeve which is fitted in said holder and a carrying arm which can be inserted in said sleeve in'such a way that it can be arrested. A carrying arm can be used individually as a means of suspension or it acts together with at least one adjacently positioned carrying arm to support a shelf or a transverse bar which can be used as a carrier for the goods that are for example to be presented.

PRIOR ART

Variously configured carrying devices are known from the patent publications WO 97/26809 A1, WO 99/20094 A2, WO 01/87123 A1 and EP 0 716 825 B1. Depending on the construction, the sleeve is fitted as an insert receptacle onto the front side of a panel, fitted into a clearance in the panel or can be mounted on the rear side of the panel behind a clearance which is accessible from the front side of the panel. To increase the loading capacity of the insert receptacles fitted in the panel, often a large-area flange that is placed on the panel surface at the front and/or rear is provided. DE 203 19 266 U1 discloses a carrying device in which the sleeve is fitted in a separate holder through a clearance in the panel and the holder is fastened on the rear side of a panel. However, the flanges and the holders only allow the carrying capacity to be increased to a limited extent. Furthermore, it takes considerable effort to make quite a large number of clearances in the panel at the exact uniform spacings. Finally, the panel must be exactly aligned and fastened on the building with further supporting means.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

In the effort to increase the loading capacity of fitted insert receptacles and at the same time allow the erection of display walls to be accomplished more efficiently, the invention is based on the object of providing a substructure which makes this objective possible. In particular, the novel substructure is intended to allow even large-area display walls with a great extent in terms of width and a great overall height to be efficiently erected.

OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

The substructure is designed as a supporting construction for a display wall with a multiplicity of systematically attached carrying devices, which are intended for the direct or indirect suspension of articles or for the securement of a shelf. A carrying device is formed by a holder fixedly attached to a supporting means, a sleeve which is fitted in the holder through its insert receptacle on the front side and a carrying arm which can be inserted in the sleeve through its insert receptacle on the front side in such a way that it can be arrested. A carrying arm can be used individually as a means of suspension or it acts together with at least one adjacently positioned carrying arm to support a shelf or a transverse bar which is used as a carrier for goods that are for example to be presented. The characterizing features consist in that:

-   -   the supporting means is formed by hollow vertical supports with         clearances respectively provided on the surface that is directed         into the room for fitting in the holders;     -   the vertical supports are fastened to a carrying structure, for         example a rear wall of a building; and     -   a covering panel with clearances which lie congruently in         relation to the insert receptacles of the attached holders is         placed in front of the vertical supports.

Special embodiments of the substructure are described hereafter: a number of vertical supports, preferably set up equidistantly from one another, are arranged, with adjacent vertical supports being connected to one another by transverse supports. The vertical supports comprise hollow polyhedral profiles, preferably with a rectangular or square cross section. Arranged underneath the vertical supports, on the floor, and above the vertical supports, in each case horizontally in the plane defined by the vertical supports, there is a first framework profile. Fitted into the first framework profiles vertically and adjacent the vertical supports are second framework profiles. The holders have a substantially horizontally extending housing and, emerging from it, a vertically extending flange plate. In the mounted state, the flange plates are fastened on the surfaces that are directed into the room of the vertical supports. The surfaces that are directed into the room of the vertical supports or the front surfaces of the flange plates form with the side surfaces that are directed into the room of the second framework profiles the bearing for the rear side of the joined-on panel.

The lower, first framework profile has an upwardly open U-shaped cross section and the upper, first framework profile is likewise of a U-shaped cross section, but with the open side arranged downward. The second framework profile is of a U-shaped cross section, with the open side arranged such that it lies in the plane of the vertical supports. The vertical supports are provided at the lower end with a leveling element for height adjustment. Extending from the individual clearance are slots, for which there are on the rear surface of the flange plate, which is divided into a downward part and an upward part, complementary ribs, which in the mounted state come to lie in the slots. The vertical plane of the flange plate divides the housing into a front portion and a rear portion. In the mounted state, the rear portion protrudes into the interior of the vertical support, while the front portion comes to lie in the clearance in the panel.

On the vertical supports, preferably on the surfaces that are directed into the room, there is a fixed leveling marking for positional determination. A fixed leveling marking for positional determination is likewise provided on the front surface of the flange plate of the holders. In the corner regions of the front surface of the front portion of the holder there are marking lugs, which are intended for the purpose of leaving impressions on the rear side of the panel when it is laid in place, for cutting the clearances to the correct size. The sleeve has a frame, which surrounds the insert receptacle in the manner of a window and in the fitted-in state covers over the cut edge of the respectively occupied clearance. Lying in the sleeve are connecting means, preferably screws, which are intended for fastening the sleeve pushed into the holder. On the inside, the sleeve has arresting elements, which interact with complementary mating contours on the carrying arm to be introduced into the sleeve through its insert receptacle.

A transverse support has a central strut piece and, attached to both sides thereof, brackets which are intended for fastening on the inner surfaces of adjacent vertical supports, the strut pieces thereby engaging behind the second framework profiles. To stabilize a high substructure, a second panel is inserted between the vertical supports on the rear side of the first panel. For electrification, a coupling part supplied with power may be positioned in the sleeve, with a complementary coupling part being located at the insert end of the carrying arm and used for conducting the supplied power to a consuming unit, for example a luminaire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a substructure in construction with three vertical supports and transverse supports inserted in between, in a perspective view;

FIG. 1B shows the arrangement according to FIG. 1A, supplemented with horizontal and vertical framework profiles, in a perspective view;

FIG. 1C shows the enlarged detail X1 from FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 shows a holder, in a perspective view;

FIG. 3 shows a sleeve, in a perspective view;

FIG. 4A shows the upper end of a vertical support with a holder brought close to the clearance, in a perspective view;

FIG. 4B shows the arrangement according to FIG. 4A with a fitted-in holder and joined-on panel, in a perspective partial section;

FIG. 5A shows a detail from a substructure with two vertical supports completely fitted out with holders according to FIG. 2 and sleeves according to FIG. 3, and transverse supports, horizontal and vertical framework profiles inserted in between, in a front view;

FIG. 5B shows the enlarged detail X2 from FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C shows the enlarged detail X3 from FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A shows a horizontal cross section through the main elements of a complete substructure over the region of two adjacent vertical supports with a panel placed in front, as a basic representation;

FIG. 6B shows the enlarged detail X4 from FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A shows the arrangement according to FIG. 6A with two panels placed in front and a modified depth of the substructure; and

FIG. 7B shows the enlarged detail X5 from FIG. 7A.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

With reference to the accompanying drawings, there follows a more detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the substructure according to the invention, with main variants used in practice.

The following statement applies to the entire further description. If reference numerals are contained in a figure for the purpose of clarifying the drawing but are not explained in the directly associated text of the description, reference is made to where they are mentioned in previous or subsequent descriptions of figures. In the interests of overall clarity, components are not usually denoted repeatedly in further figures, as long as it is clearly evident from the drawing that they are “recurring” components.

FIGS. 1A to 1C

Firstly, the substructure to be erected by way of example comprises three vertical supports 1 set up in a plane and in front of a rear carrying structure T, at systematic intervals, preferably in each case a number of transverse supports 2 inserted in between and a multiplicity of fastening struts 16 as the connection between the vertical supports 1 and the carrying structure T. A vertical support 1 is preferably a cross-sectionally square hollow profile and has a lower end 10, an upper end 11 and a first outer surface 12, directed to the side, the adjoining, rearwardly directed second outer surface 13, the adjacent third outer surface 14, directed to the other side, and the forwardly oriented fourth outer surface 15. Fixedly attached to the lateral first outer surface 12 by means of screws 169 engaging in screw holes 129 are angular fastening struts 16. On the other side, these fastening struts 16 are fixed to the carrying structure T—typically a rear wall. Attached below the lower end 10 is a base plate 17, which protrudes to the rear beyond the cross section of the vertical support 1 and in which there is supported a leveling element 170, which can be adjusted to compensate for any unevenness. In the fourth, forwardly directed outer surface 15, a number of uniformly spaced-apart clearances 150, cut in a basically rectangular form, are provided. These clearances 150 offer access to the inner cavity of the vertical support 1. From the individual clearance 150 a slot 151,151′ respectively extends upward and downward, these slots lying on the vertical center line of the outer surface 15. Respectively provided to the sides of both slots 151,151′ is a screw hole 152.

To achieve the intended distance between the vertical supports 1 and to stabilize the construction, at least one transverse support 2 is respectively fitted horizontally between adjacent vertical supports 1 in their upper and lower regions. A transverse support 2 has an elongate strut piece 20 and a bracket 21 at each of its ends, the two brackets 21 being fastened to the mutually facing outer surfaces 12,14 of the adjacent vertical supports 1, which is preferably accomplished by screwing.

In the vertical plane defined by the vertical supports 1 and the transverse supports 2, a first U-shaped framework profile 3,3′ is respectively inserted at the bottom and top in a horizontal arrangement. The first framework profile 3, positioned at the bottom, comes to lie with its base surface 33 on the floor B, so that the two side surfaces 31,32 point upward. The lower ends 10 of the vertical supports 1 with the base plates 17 project beyond the upwardly open, first framework profile 3, it beinrg possible for the leveling elements 170 to be placed behind the first framework profile 3 or inside it on the base surface 33. An identical first framework profile 3′ is arranged with the open side downward above the upper ends 11 of the vertical supports 1 and is fixed to the carrying structure T, for example by means of fastening struts 16. The base surface 33′ of the upper, first framework profile 3′ points toward the ceiling, while the side surfaces 31′,32′ are downwardly directed. The lower, first framework profile 3 forms a horizontal, upwardly open channel 30 near the floor and the upper, first framework profile 3′ forms a horizontal, downwardly open channel 30′. The two channels 30,30′ created in this way lie in the plane of the substructure and are directed toward each other.

Inserted between the two first framework profiles 3,3′ are second framework profiles 4, so that their lower ends 40 stand in the channel 30 of the lower, first framework profile 3 and the upper ends 41 of the second framework profiles 4 are located in the channel 30′ of the upper, first framework profile 3′. As a precaution, the profile ends 40,41 will be fastened to the first framework profiles 3,3′. The second framework profile 4, like the first framework profile 3,3′, is preferably likewise of a rectangular cross section and U-shaped form, with the base surface 42, the two side surfaces 43,45 emerging therefrom and the side lying open opposite the base surface 42. In the constructed state, the fourth outer surfaces 15 of the vertical supports 1, the first side surfaces 31,31′ of the first framework profiles 3,3′ and the second side surfaces 45 of the second framework profiles 4 are in a common vertical plane on the front side—discounting the material thickness of the first side surfaces 31,31′ of the first framework profile 3,3′.

FIG. 2

Intended for fitting into the clearances 150 of the vertical supports 1 are holders 5, which substantially comprise a sleeve-like housing 50 with the insert receptacle 53 open to the front—this runs into the housing 50—and a flange plate 55, which extends underneath the housing 50 as a downward part 56 and above the housing 50 as an upward part 56′. The flange plate 55 is set back from the front surface 510 of the housing 50, so that the housing 50 is structured into a relatively short front portion 51, lying in front of the flange plate 55 and projecting from the front surface 550 thereof, and a significantly longer rear portion 52, lying on the other side of the flange plate 55 and butting against the rear surface 551 thereof, in which rear portion there are screw bushes 529. Ribs 54 extend between the flange rear surface 551 and the upper side and the underside of the rear portion 52. Arranged in the four corner regions of the front surface 550, outlining a rectangle, are raised marking lugs 511, which are intended to leave an impression on the rear side 91 of the first panel 9 to be joined on later, for the making of a clearance 92 (see FIG. 4B). The downward part 56 and upward part 56′ are provided with first and second screw holes 57,57′. On the front surface 550 of the downward part 56 there is a leveling marking 58 on the vertical center line.

FIG. 3

The sleeve 6 is intended for fitting into the insert receptacle 53 of the holder 5. The sleeve 6 substantially comprises the rear sleeve piece 60, which is accommodated in the insert receptacle 53, and the rectangular frame 65, which is placed in front of the sleeve piece 60 and surrounds the inlet into a window-like insert receptacle 63. The sleeve piece 60 butts against the rear surface 651 of the frame 65, which finishes at the front with a planar front surface 650. Inside the sleeve piece 60 there is at least one arresting element 61, with which the complementary contour of a carrier to be inserted (not represented here) comes into engagement. Arranged in the rear part of the sleeve piece 60 are two screw bearings 62, located in which are screws 69, which in the mounted state engage in the screw bushes 529 of the holder 5.

FIGS. 4A and 4B

In this pair of figures, the fitting of a holder 5 into a clearance 150 of the vertical support 1 and the joining-on of a first panel 9 are represented. The rear portion 52 is introduced into the clearance 150 and protrudes completely into the hollow interior of the vertical support 1, the rear surface 551 of the flange plate 55 coming to lie on the outer surface 15 of the vertical support 1 directed frontally into the room. The ribs 54 enter the slots 151,151′ and the screw holes 152 on the vertical support 1 come into congruent alignment with the first screw holes 57 in the flange plate 55, so that the screws 59 can be screwed in. The second screw holes 57′ in the flange plate 55 remain unused in the case of this application; these screw holes 57′ are occupied instead of the first screw holes 57 when the screwing of the holder 5 takes place with the front surface 550 on the rear of a carrying structure. The front portion 51 of the fitted-in holder 5 initially protrudes freely into the room, but after the first panel 9 has been joined on is accommodated within a complementary clearance 92 made in the latter. The front surface 510, bordering the inlet of the insert receptacle 53, should not in this case protrude beyond the front side 90 of the first panel 9, which is facing with its rear side 91 the flange plate 55 and the fourth outer surface 15. Before introducing the clearance 92 in the first panel 9, the rear side 91 of the latter may be adapted to the front surface 510 of the mounted holder 5 and impressions of the marking lugs 511 thereby made on the rear side 91, indicating the desired clearance 92.

FIGS. 5A to 5C

All the holders 5 fitted into the vertical supports 1 are respectively fitted out with a sleeve 6, without a first panel 9 being joined on. This situation, which does not exist in practice—the sleeves 6 would only be fitted in after a panel 9 is attached—is merely intended to illustrate the complete fitting out of two vertical supports 1 with holders 5 and sleeves 6 as a detail from a substructure. The insert receptacles 63 of the sleeves 6 are unoccupied and would be free for the fitting-in of variously configured carriers, such as stepped arms, T arms, shelf brackets or transverse bars spanning two sleeves 6. Arranged between the two vertical supports 1 shown are transverse supports 2 and also first and second framework profiles 3,3′;4 as components of the substructure. By means of the leveling markings 18 applied to the vertical supports 1 and the leveling marking 58 present on each holder 5, the vertical supports 1 and the holders 5 are brought exactly into position. Used for adjusting the height of the vertical supports 1 with respect to the floor B are the leveling elements 170, which are attached to the lower end 10 of the vertical supports 1 on the respective base plate 17.

FIGS. 6A and 6B

This pair of figures shows the complete basic construction of the substructure from the front surface 650 of the frame 65 of a sleeve 6 to the rear carrying structure T. The frame 65 rests on the front side 90 of the first panel 9, the rear side 91 of which is facing the framework profiles 3,3′;4. From the frame 65, the sleeve piece 6 extends through the clearance 92 into the holder 5, with the front portion 51 of the holder 5 that is positioned in the vertical support 1 at the same time protruding into the clearance 92. The leveling element 170 fastened to the base plate 17 underneath the vertical support 1 is placed on the outside of the first framework profile 3. Fitted in between the side surfaces 31,32 of the first framework profile 3, in the channel 30 of the latter, is the second framework profile 4, with the side surfaces 31,32 of the first framework profile 3 coming together with the side surfaces 43,45 of the second framework profile 4, the base surface 42 of which is situated transversely on the base surface 33. Fastening struts 16 fix the vertical supports 1 to the carrying structure T and transverse supports 2 with their strut pieces 20 and brackets 21 connect adjacent vertical supports 1 to one another.

FIGS. 7A and 7B

As a modification of the previous pair of figures, this substructure is double-paneled, that is with a first panel 9 and, arranged behind it, a second panel 8, which faces with its rear side 81 toward the framework profiles 3,3′;4, ends to the side of the vertical support 1 and bears with its front side 80 against the rear side 91 of the first panel 9. The rear side 91 of the first panel 9 in turn rests on the fourth outer surface 15 of the vertical supports 1 and clearances 92 in this panel 9 allow the sleeve piece 60 of the sleeve 6 and the front portion 51 of the holder 5 respectively to pass through and protrude in. 

1. A substructure as a supporting construction for a display wall with a multiplicity of systematically attached carrying devices, which are intended for the direct or indirect suspension of articles or for the securement of a shelf, in which substructure: a) a carrying device is formed by a holder (5) fixedly attached to a supporting means (1), a sleeve (6) which is fitted in the holder (5) through its insert receptacle (53) on the front side and a carrying arm which can be inserted in the sleeve (6) through its insert receptacle (63) on the front side in such a way that it can be arrested; b) a carrying arm can be used individually as a means of suspension or it acts together with at least one adjacently positioned carrying arm to support a shelf or a transverse bar which is used as a carrier for goods that are for example to be presented, characterized in that c) the supporting means (1) is formed by hollow vertical supports (1) with clearances (150) respectively provided on the surface (15) that is directed into the room for fitting in the holders (5); d) the vertical supports (1) are fastened to a carrying structure (T), for example a rear wall of a building; and e) a covering panel (9) with clearances (92) which lie congruently in relation to the insert receptacles (53) of the attached holders (5) is placed in front of the vertical supports (1).
 2. The substructure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a) a number of vertical supports (1), preferably set up equidistantly from one another, are arranged, with adjacent vertical supports (1) being connected to one another by transverse supports (2); b) the vertical supports (1) comprise hollow polyhedral profiles, preferably with a rectangular or square cross section; c) arranged underneath the vertical supports (1), on the floor (B), and above the vertical supports (1), in each case horizontally in the plane defined by the vertical supports (1), there is a first framework profile (3,3′); d) fitted into the first framework profiles (3,3′) vertically and adjacent the vertical supports (1) are second framework profiles (4); e) the holders (5) have a substantially horizontally extending housing (50) and, emerging from it, a vertically extending flange plate (55); f) in the mounted state, the flange plates (55) are fastened on the surfaces (15) that are directed into the room of the vertical supports (1); and g) the surfaces (15) that are directed into the room of the vertical supports (1) or the front surfaces (550) of the flange plates (55) form with the side surfaces (45) that are directed into the room of the second framework profiles (4) the bearing for the rear side (91) of the joined-on panel (9).
 3. The substructure as claimed in at least one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a) the lower, first framework profile (3) has an upwardly open U-shaped cross section and the upper, first framework profile (3′) is likewise of a U-shaped cross section, but with the open side arranged downward; b) the second framework profile (4) is of a U-shaped cross section, with the open side arranged such that it lies in the plane of the vertical supports (1); and c) the vertical supports (1) are provided at the lower end (10) with a leveling element (170) for height adjustment.
 4. The substructure as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a) extending from the individual clearance (150) are slots (151,151′), for which there are on the rear surface (551) of the flange plate (55), which is divided into a downward part (56) and an upward part (56′), complementary ribs (54), which in the mounted state come to lie in the slots (151,151′); b) the vertical plane of the flange plate (55) divides the housing (50) into a front portion (51) and a rear portion (52); and c) in the mounted state, the rear portion (52) protrudes into the interior of the vertical support (1), while the front portion (51) comes to lie in the clearance (92) in the panel (9).
 5. The substructure as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a) on the vertical supports (1), preferably on the surfaces (15) that are directed into the room, there is a fixed leveling marking (18) for positional determination; b) a fixed leveling marking (58) for positional determination is present on the front surface (550) of the flange plate (55) of the holders (5); and c) in the corner regions of the front surface (510) of the front portion (51) of the holder (5) there are marking lugs (511), which are intended for the purpose of leaving impressions on the rear side (91) of the panel (9) when it is laid in place, for cutting the clearances (92) to the correct size.
 6. The substructure as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sleeve (6) a) has a frame (65), which surrounds the insert receptacle (63) in the manner of a window and in the fitted-in state covers over the cut edge of the respectively occupied clearance (92); and b) has connecting means (69), preferably screws (69), which are intended for fastening the sleeve (6) pushed into the holder (5); and c) has on the inside arresting elements (61), which interact with complementary mating contours on the carrying arm to be introduced into the sleeve (6) through its insert receptacle (63).
 7. The substructure as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a) a transverse support (2) has a central strut piece (20) and brackets (21) attached to both sides thereof; and b) the brackets (21) are intended for fastening on the inner surfaces (11,14) of adjacent vertical supports (1) and the strut pieces (20) thereby engage behind the second framework profiles (4).
 8. The substructure as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a) to stabilize a high substructure, a second panel (8) is inserted between the vertical supports (1) on the rear side (91) of the first panel (9); and b) for electrification, a coupling part supplied with power may be positioned in the sleeve (6), with a complementary coupling part being located at the insert end of the carrying arm and used for conducting the supplied power to a consuming unit, for example a luminaire. 